TREE CARE OPERATIONS

Recognizing when tree work goes beyond your crew’ s capabilities

By Don Roppolo

Photos courtesy of The Davey Tree Expert Company

While many landscapers routinely perform light pruning, debris removal and other tree-related services, there comes a point when a project requires a different level of expertise. Knowing where that line exists and how to select a qualified company can help protect anyone who steps foot on the property.

The reality is that tree care is a highly specialized profession. Trees are large, living structures that can behave unpredictably, particularly when they are damaged, diseased or impacted by severe weather. Add chainsaws, aerial lifts, climbing systems, nearby structures and utility lines to the equation, and the risks increase quickly.

In commercial landscape management, liability is often one of the most important considerations in any decision. Property owners and facility managers expect contractors to operate safely and professionally. When tree work is performed incorrectly, the consequences can extend well beyond the immediate jobsite.

A poorly executed pruning cut can compromise a tree ' s health and structure. Improper removals can result in property damage. In more serious situations, employee injuries or public safety incidents can occur.

The financial implications can be substantial. Workers ' compensation claims, equipment damage, project delays, insurance costs and potential litigation can all stem from a single incident. Just as importantly, a mistake can damage long-standing client relationships that took years to build.

Commercial clients are increasingly scrutinizing contractor safety records, training practices and risk management protocols. As expectations rise, landscape companies must carefully evaluate whether a particular tree project falls within their scope of expertise.

Not every tree-related task requires a tree care company. However, certain situations should immediately signal the need for specialized support, such as: Large tree removals Work requiring climbing or aerial capabilities Trees located near buildings, high-value assets, power lines or utility infrastructure Projects involving cranes or rigging systems Storm-damaged or structurally compromised trees Advanced pruning intended to mitigate risk or preserve tree health

These projects require specialized equipment, technical knowledge and extensive safety training. They also require an understanding of tree biology, structural dynamics and industry standards that may fall outside the typical training of a landscape crew.

Recognizing these situations is not a sign of weakness, and many successful landscape companies view strategic partnerships as a strength. By involving a qualified tree care professional when appropriate, contractors can continue serving their clients while reducing unnecessary exposure to risk.

When selecting a tree care partner, credentials and insurance are important starting points. However, contractors should also take a close look at the organization ' s safety culture.

Safety is more than a checklist; it is the collection of systems, behaviors and investments that influence how work is performed every day.

Organizations that prioritize safety tend to invest heavily in employee training, ongoing education and continuous improvement programs. They create environments where employees are encouraged to identify risks, share concerns and learn from experience.

Those investments can take many forms, from formal training programs and handson skills development to systems designed to learn from incidents and near misses. For example, The Davey Tree Expert Company recently opened its nearly 200-acre SEED Campus, a facility dedicated to science, employee education and professional development. The campus includes training facilities, research areas and a specialized climbing training center.

Beyond formal training, safety-focused organizations often evaluate incidents and near misses by examining the systems and processes behind them rather than simply assigning blame. This continuous-improvement mindset helps identify opportunities to reduce risk before future incidents occur. Davey ' s Human and Organizational Performance approach emphasizes learning from both success and failure while examining what went wrong in a system rather than focusing solely on who made a mistake.

For landscape contractors, these investments may not always be visible, but they can have a significant impact on field safety and performance.

For landscapers, the goal is to keep the grounds of their property beautiful and safe, and an experienced landscaper should recognize when another expert should be brought into the process to help.

As trees continue to grow and as commercial properties become more complex, the risks associated with tree work are unlikely to decrease. Landscapers who understand those risks and build relationships with qualified tree care professionals position themselves to better serve their customers.

Ultimately, some of the smartest decisions on a jobsite are the ones that prevent problems before they occur. Knowing when to call a tree care professional who prioritizes safety and training may be one of them.

Don Roppolo is vice president of health and safety operations support for The Davey Tree Expert Co. He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist and holds certifications in tree risk assessment, climbing and aerial lift operations. He holds bachelor’ s and master’ s degrees in urban forestry from Western Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, respectively.